Redescription of Xyliphius barbatus

[bekateen]

Terán GE, Méndez-López A, Benitez MF, Serra WS, Bogan S, Aguilera G (2024) Re-description of Xyliphius barbatus (Siluriformes, Aspredinidae), with comments on osteology and distribution. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(3): 1085-1097. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.121396
https://zse.pensoft.net/article/121396/list/9/

Abstract
The banjo catfish,

Xyliphius barbatus

, belongs to the Aspredinidae family and typically inhabits the main channels of medium to large rivers in the La Plata River basin. The mimetic coloration with the substrate and the benthic lifestyle likely contribute to the challenge of sampling this species, resulting in its underrepresentation in museums and ichthyological collections. In fact, the original description of X. barbatus was based solely on two specimens. Consequently, little is known about its osteology, distribution, and phylogenetic relations. In this work, these information gaps are filled and the distributional range for X. barbatus is extended to northwestern Argentina.

Key Words: Banjo catfish, fossorial fishes, La Plata River basin, morphology, osteology

Lateral, dorsal and ventral views of Xyliphius barbatus. CI-FML 7944. San Francisco River, Bermejo River basin, Jujuy province. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Head detail of Xyliphius barbatus. CI-FML 7944. San Francisco River, Bermejo River basin, Jujuy province. Scale bar: 5 mm.

CI-FML 7944. Xyliphius barbatus. Live specimen, 92.4 mm SL. San Francisco River, Bermejo River basin, Jujuy. Scale bar: 10 mm.